What was the original Japanese title of the Pokémon video game series?

The original Japanese title of the Pokémon video game series was Pocket Monsters.

In Japan, the first games were called Pocket Monsters Red and Green. The shortened international brand became Pokémon, a contraction of “Pocket Monsters” that was easier to use across products, broadcasts, and languages.

Development history records earlier working names, including Capsule Monsters and CapuMon. Trademark issues contributed to the changes before the project settled on Pocket Monsters. The final Japanese branding remained closely associated with the series even after Pokémon became its global name.

The name also explains why the anime originally aired in Japan as Pocket Monsters. International releases generally used Pokémon instead, helping create a consistent worldwide identity for the games, television series, cards, films, and merchandise.